As much as I love having fresh flowers in the house, I find them difficult. Difficult to plan in the planting; worse still when it comes to arranging. In my hands, it's something just short of mauling. In fact, the blooms may need therapy once their trembling stems come to rest in the vase. At the very least I'm sure they commiserate with one another over their brutish treatment.

Then, a week or so ago, Susan from Rainy Day Books called to say, "There's a new book I think you might like." I know you're thinking this call might have gone out to dozens, might not have been meant just for me. But I think it was.

Carolyn Roehm and Sylvie Becquet's photographs for Ms. Roehm's new book, Flowers, are simply stunning and gloriously large. I felt like I could crawl right in and hide inside a peony - a most delicious escape (and one which I'm sorely needing.) But better still, the arrangements are largely one or two blooms, in containers of standard shapes if extraordinary form. The extra-added bonus being that each flower featured can be grown right here in my own zone. Heaven, within my reach.